Kazakh specialists provide maintenance to Russian Su-30SM fighters, using French equipment from Thales and Safran, despite international sanctions. This is stated in research, published by the Inform Napalm organization.
The Kazakh company ARC Group actively cooperates with the Russian military, carrying out repair and maintenance of Su-30SM aircraft, which are equipped with aviation equipment of French manufacture – Thales and Safran (formerly Sagem).
As of 2024, Russia has approximately 130 modernized Su-30SM fighters, of which at least 15 have been lost in combat. However, without proper maintenance, the use of these aircraft could be even more limited due to the dependence on foreign-made avionics, particularly from French companies.
For the proper operation of aircraft, their equipment needs constant service, which can only be provided by personnel certified by the manufacturer. After the full-scale invasion began, Russia lost direct access to such services due to sanctions. However, bypassing the sanctions became possible thanks to a partnership with a Kazakh contractor.
“Analyst Research Consulting Group” LLC (ARC Group), founded in 2014, became the official distributor of Safran Electronics & Defense in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The company provides products and services mainly to government structures, including law enforcement agencies. Already in 2021, ARC Group signed the first contract with the Russian company “Rosaviaspecskomplekt”, which is engaged in the supply of aviation components.
The contract stipulates that certified Kazakh specialists carry out repairs of French equipment on Russian Su-30 fighters, using original French components. The Russians pay for the full cycle of services, including training and certification of specialists in France, as well as the purchase of the necessary equipment from French manufacturers.
Although the French contracts provide for export controls with a ban on the transfer of goods to Russia, the study revealed almost identical contracts with Russian companies in terms and amounts, which indicates that Kazakhstan does not comply with these restrictions.
